Wales’ first dual-stream language primary school celebrates it’s Official opening

Last week Ysgol Gynradd Groes-wen Primary School celebrated its official opening, with a special event in the presence of Cardiff Council Leader, Councillor Huw Thomas and Deputy Leader and cabinet member for Education, Councillor Sarah Merry.

One of Cardiff's newest primary schools, the £9million school opened its doors to pupils for the first time in September. The first of its kind for Cardiff and for Wales, the school provides a dual language stream and a Welsh-medium stream. 

The dual language stream consists of 50per cent Welsh and 50per cent English, known as a 50/50 split. In addition, there is a 96 part-time nursery provision which is supported by a Cylch Meithrin which offers wrap around provision. The Cylch also operates an afterschool club for pupils.

Guests enjoyed a performance by some of the school's youngest pupils and a tour of the building (Image: Cardiff Council)

Located within Cardiff's Plasdŵr development in north-west Cardiff, on land South of Llantrisant Road, Ysgol Gynradd Groes-wen Primary School, built by Andrew Scott Ltd, is two form of entry and offers 420 places in total, serving areas of north-west Cardiff. It features contemporary architecture and a range of amenities accessible to the public, providing opportunities to bring new residents and families together.

Cardiff Council's Deputy Leader and cabinet member for Education, Councillor Sarah Merry said: "The official opening of Ysgol Gynradd Groes-wen Primary School is a momentous occasion for pupils, staff and the community it serves. An innovative variation on the traditional primary school, it is already successfully delivering new and exciting opportunities through the introduction of the dual language model which looks to increase Welsh-medium education in a strategic way.

"Supporting Cardiff's aspirations to grow the Welsh language as set out in our bilingual strategy, the new school is helping to develop bilingualism, in a new modern learning environment, ensuring that children and young people receive the best possible education."

"Plasdŵr is already very popular, generating a significant increase in the demand for school places in the area. The new school's community focus provides opportunities for local people to access facilities as well ensuring availability of school places."

One of Cardiff's newest primary schools, the £9million school opened its doors to pupils for the first time in September (Image: Cardiff Council)

Richard Carbis, Headteacher: "It is such a privilege to be the Headteacher of Ysgol Groes-wen. Both the pupils, parents and the staff are part of creating the Groes-wen family that will celebrate the locality, our Welsh identity and of course being part of a vibrant and new community in the capital city of Wales. 

"We want the paths and streets to celebrate the Welsh language, to feel welcomed at the school and to be a part of a community hub for all our stakeholders or as we prefer to call them, our friends."

Plasdŵr is a new development of up to 7,000 homes that will be built at the site bordering Radyr, Fairwater, Pentrebane and St Fagans along with shops, cafes, restaurants and offices. The masterplan for Plasdŵr includes a further three new primary schools and one secondary school, to be delivered as the development takes shape over the next 20+ years.

The school has been provided by Plasdŵr's lead developer Redrow, under a Section 106 agreement. Delivered as part of Cardiff's Local Development Plan (LDP), the new school is part of  Cardiff Council and Welsh Government £284m Band B Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme, to deliver new and expanded schools.